Today’s flood topic is different kinds of flooding. Our area is prone to ice jam flooding. Ice jams are common during the winter and spring along rivers, streams, and creeks in the higher latitudes of the continental U.S. as well in Alaska. Once formed, water can rise quickly.
South-southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. Winds become southwest Friday afternoon. The strongest winds will be near Lake Erie. Wind gusts of 40+ mph will be common across the remainder of the area.
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Jefferson, Lewis, and Oswego counties from 11AM Friday through 2PM Saturday. Widespread snow will move across western and north-central NY with the greatest amounts east of Lake Ontario, especially on the Tug Hill Plateau.
Today’s flood safety topic is Watches and Warning. Do you know the difference between the two? A Flood WATCH means Be Prepared. A Flood WARNING means Take Action!
Winds will increase through today, with the highest winds found across western NY by later this afternoon. Well above average temperatures expected. Highs mainly ranging through the 60s, cooler immediately downwind of the lakes and across the higher terrain east of Lake Ontario.
A moist, southwest flow has brought a marine layer area of fog inland this evening northeast of Lake Erie. Dense fog will be thickest along the shoreline and through Metro Buffalo. If traveling, be prepared for rapid changes in visibility.
Northeast flow through the Saint Lawrence Valley will lower temperatures to just under freezing later tonight through Wednesday morning. In coming rain will freeze through tomorrow morning with slippery spots developing.
Today’s flood safety topic is NWS resources. One of our best resources, not just for flooding is our website. Knowing the weather in advance can be helpful for all kinds of situations. Know Before You Go by checking for the latest conditions and alerts!
Continued snowmelt combined with additional rainfall will bring about the possibility of flooding on the Black, Moose, Independence, and Beaver Rivers as well as other tributaries.
For today’s Flood Safety topic we are highlighting “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” We apologize in advance for this jingle getting stuck in your head, but we’d do anything to help you remember to Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
Another dry day and windy northeast of the lakes, though temperatures will be much warmer compared to yesterday. A look at the week ahead:
Mild airmass remains through Wednesday, then a sharp cold front will cross our region with temperatures much cooler for Thursday. Rain mid-week will end as a little accumulating snow for Thursday.
Precipitation has varied across our region this winter. Areas that need the precipitation include the Genesee Valley where moderate drought conditions persist. The upper ground may be soggy now, but without deep ground moisture vegetation can quickly dry out later this Spring.
Minor flooding is expected along Tonawanda Creek from near Batavia downstream into northeast Erie County. Waters will be highest today near Batavia, then Monday through Monday night downstream in northeast Erie County. Latest graphs and larger images:
To kick off Flood Safety Awareness week we are first going to focus on preparedness. Flooding can occur during any time of the year, so it’s always best to be prepared! To learn more about flooding and how you can prepare before it happens, visit
Milder through midweek before turning cooler towards the end of the week. Temperatures peaking Tues and Wed 15 to 25 degrees above normal. Rain and a few storms arrive Tuesday night and Wednesday before some mixed precipitation or snow by Thursday as the cooler air arrives. #nywx
After tonight's cold front passes with showers ending from west to east, a period of dry weather will begin. Sunday will be the cooler of the two weekend days, then late Spring-like temperatures for Monday and Tuesday. Later Tuesday night rain will arrive back into our region.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Olean NY, Wellsville NY and Alfred NY until 4:45 PM EST
3:49 PM March 7th - Strong to severe thunderstorms will continue across northwest Pennsylvania and the interior western Southern Tier over the next few hours. The main hazards will be strong winds, but hail and a brief tornado can't be ruled out. #NYwx
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Jamestown NY, Lakewood NY and Falconer NY until 3:15 PM EST
2:15 PM March 7th - Strong to severe thunderstorms in northwest PA are moving northeast into the Western Southern Tier over the next few hours. The main hazards will be strong winds, but hail and a brief tornado cannot be ruled out. #NYwx
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Franklinville NY, Little Valley NY and Delevan NY until 3:45 PM EST
1:30 PM March 7th - This includes Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties in western NY through 8 PM this evening. #NYwx
RT by @NWSBUFFALO: A tornado watch has been issued for parts of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia until 8 PM EST pic.
A few thunderstorms associated with a cold front this afternoon and evening could be strong to severe, especially across Western NY. Damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph will be possible. An isolated tornado is also possible. #nywx
Caution is advised if traveling across WNY this morning. Areas of fog have developed with locally dense visibilities down to a 1/4 mile. Untreated surfaces and roads may also be icy, especially before sunrise.
A pair of frontal boundaries will bring active weather to the area tonight into Saturday evening. A few thunderstorms associated with the cold front later Saturday could be strong to severe, especially across Western NY.
Winter weather advisory for freezing rain overnight. Watch out for slippery roads and sidewalks overnight and into Friday Morning.
While active weather is expected areawide, the main focus for more impactful weather through this weekend is east of Lake Ontario. Freezing rain is likely across portions of the North Country tonight, before warmer temps and plain rain pose a flooding risk this weekend.
Rain overspreads the area from southwest to northeast Thursday and continues Thu night. An area of freezing rain is likely for the northern half of Jefferson County and the higher terrain in Lewis County, with very light icing also possible just south of Lake Ontario Thu evening.
